Help for a friend please

[Jax49]

Please could someone have a look at my friend’s recent blood test results. Some years ago, she can’t remember when, she was diagnosed with borderline hypothyroidism and given medication for this. She can’t remember what this was or the dose but the doctor told her to stop taking it after a short while, as it gave her bad palpitations.

In 2022 she was diagnosed with CRC but is currently well except feeling very tired, lacks energy, is having digestive problems and she has other typical hypothyroid symptoms. As her results have come up as normal she will get no help from her doctor with this, as you know.

The finger prick blood test was done at 12.50 pm and she had eaten porridge for breakfast around 9am. Not ideal I know.

TSH. 3.77 (0.27-4.20 uIU/ml

Free T3 4.15 (3.10-6.80 pmol/L)

Free T4. 14.3. (12.0-22.0 pmol/L)

Ferritin 207 ug/L (15 - 300)

B12 558 ng/L (180 - 900)

She doesn’t have Vit D results but she took 10,000 IU for at least six months and now take 5,000 IU per day.

If my friend does have a thyroid problem I will encourage her to join this group as I have had so much help and valuable information from you all.

Many thanks.

[greygoose]

You haven't given us any results for thyroid.

[Jax49 in reply to greygoose]

Yes apologies. I realised after. Should be there now hopefully.

[greygoose in reply to Jax49]

FT3: 4.15 pmol/l (Range 3.1 - 6.8) 28.38%

FT4: 14.3 pmol/l (Range 12 - 22) 23.00%

Well, as you can see, her Frees are very low. If she didn't have a thyroid problem they would be more like 50% through the range.

And, technnically, you are hypo when your TSH reaches 3 - and in some countries you would be treated at that level - but not on the NHS! It has to be over-range on two consecutive tests about three months apart before they will take any notice. They don't look at the Frees because they don't know what they are!

If she had had the blood draw before 9 am, there's a chance that it might just have been over-range. But with a TSH in-range she's never going to get a diagnosis on the NHS, I'm afraid.

But, she mustn't give up! She should keep testing until either her TSH goes over-range or her Frees go under-range. She should be on this forum to learn about how it all works, then she'll be able to face up to her GP and get his attention.

[Jax49 in reply to greygoose]

You’re so very kind. Thank you. I know money is tight for her so this may encourage her to get more tests done and hopefully get help somehow/somewhere.

Incidentally, the other day I posted a request for details of a Canadian website someone had given earlier. It was about how T3 should be given to cancer patients as they are all in need of it. I havent found the actual website yet as I need to clarify details but I do find it interesting as I have breast cancer and was diagnosed by one of the recommended doctors here as being a poor T4/3 converter. I have since met a couple of others in the same position.

What a truly wonderful, interesting & informative site this is. Thanks to all.

[greygoose in reply to Jax49]

Is this the site you're looking for?

thyroidpatients.ca/2018/08/...

[Jax49 in reply to greygoose]

Yes this was the second of the 2 articles I was looking for. The other was Cancer. Scientists point finger at T4 & RT3 hormones (5/2/20). So now I have them both and you have saved me a lot of time wading through, albeit very interesting, a mass of postings.

I really appreciate your help. Thanks again for your time and help.

Best wishes

[greygoose in reply to Jax49]

You're welcome.

[FallingInReverse]

What is CRC?

Also you haven’t provided any thyroid blood test results.

These are what we’d be looking for- you have a few of the key vitamins but ideally you can test all these together at the same time. A compete picture of your thyroid health comes from these tests:

1) TSH

2) Free T3

3) Free T4

Plus these vitamins

4) ferritin

5) folate

6) B12

7)Vit D3

****Consistently test all at the same time, around 9 am is best if you can. Fasting before. No biotin for 3-5 days before. Last dose of Levo exactly 24 hours before. Wait a full 6-8 weeks after a dose change ****

These should be tested to see if an autoimmune cause to any thyroid issues can be identified:

1) TRab

2) TSI

3) TPOab

4) TGab

[Jax49 in reply to FallingInReverse]

CRC is Colorectal Cancer

[SlowDragon Administrator]

she needs folate and thyroid antibodies tested too

TSH would have been higher if tested 8-9am

[Jax49 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks very much for replying. I’ll pass the info on.